A Guide to Overlanding With Kids on Board
Traveling with kids is very different from traveling solo or with a group of friends. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t bring kids along for big trips. An overlanding trip involves off-road travel and camping with various destinations along the way. When overlanding, the primary focus is the journey more than anything. Overlanding with the family is doable, but it requires a good strategy beforehand.
The right strategy is particularly important with overlanding because these trips are longer than a simple afternoon off-road outing. For this reason, we’ve put together a guide to overlanding with kids on board. If you want to plan a safe and satisfying trip for everyone, continue reading below.
Entertainment
What’s entertaining for kids isn’t always fun for adults, and vice versa. For example, simply spending some time relaxing outdoors may be your ideal getaway, but kids tend to enjoy a busier agenda. For this reason, entertainment needs to be at the top of your inventory checklist. The right form of entertainment differs among children, so use your best judgment with what your young ones like.
In-Vehicle Distractions
Does your child enjoy reading books or comics? Pack them in the truck for downtime on your overlanding adventure. From tablets to handheld game systems, bring your kids’ favorite portable entertainment to keep drives fun for everyone. However, there are a few more helpful ways to optimize entertainment for everyone while overlanding.
Researching the Area
One of the enticing aspects of overlanding is the opportunity to explore a diverse range of terrains and scenic views. This, of course, requires carefully researching the path you want to follow on your trip.
So while mapping out the terrain, look at the opportunities for family fun nearby. Do any of the nearby lakes offer great fishing? Is there a spot on your trail to enjoy some afternoon kayaking? Hiking and off-roading are fun, but there is more to do when you explore the wide range of environments across the United States. Considering options like these will help you truly make the most out of every place you visit.
Comfort
Besides fun, you also must prioritize comfort for kids during the trip. After all, overlanding includes driving across a lot of terrains, so everyone should feel cozy and excited during the trip.
Bringing the Right Clothing
Looking at the weather reports ahead of time gives you the chance to prepare the perfect outfits for everyone. You can go overlanding on cold evenings, but you need the right attire—from jackets to hats—to handle it safely. If you and your young ones don’t have the clothes necessary to handle the weather, add them to your pre-trip checklist and purchase cozy options ahead of time.
Vehicle Upgrades
Overlanding requires very similar upgrades for general off-roading, but the right upgrades ultimately depend on the conditions you’ll be driving under. At Ironman 4x4, our overlanding equipment for sale includes lift kits, coil springs, shocks, torsion bars, and more.
You should determine which performance upgrades your vehicle needs to keep you and the kids comfortable and your vehicle safe from unnecessary damage. For example, lift kits provide better clearance so you can protect your vehicle’s undercarriage while off-roading. Additionally, suspension components such as coil springs, shocks, and torsion bars focus on clearance and absorbing the impact of driving on rough terrain to keep handling smooth.
Sleeping & Relaxation Arrangements
One of the most important takeaways from our guide to overlanding with kids on board is that your sleeping arrangements are quite customizable. At Ironman 4x4, we carry a wide range of equipment that makes rest and relaxation during overlanding trips easy to achieve. This equipment includes tables, chairs, tents, toilets, showers, and more to create a home-like environment while embracing the great outdoors.
Suffice it to say that kids aren’t going to enjoy eating every meal in the seat of the car or the ground of the campsite. Packing portable, stable chairs provides everyone with a place to relax during meals and other opportunities for downtime. Plus, your toilets and showers will help with keeping kids clean on your big outdoor adventure.
Off-Road Awnings
Another way to make the outdoors more enjoyable for the kids is by bringing an off-road awning along for the trip. At Ironman 4x4, we carry off-road awnings that provide convenient shelter while you eat and relax outdoors. The Ironman 4x4 270-degree awning is uniquely designed to provide full wrap-around coverage, so it adds shade and shelter on three sides of your vehicle. The extra coverage allows for ample space for relaxation and fun while camping or overlanding.
The 270-degree awning from Ironman 4x4 delivers protection with its durable aluminum frame and waterproof, UV-resistant fabric that will remain strong in tough outdoor conditions. This off-road awning only takes minutes to deploy when you need quick, convenient shelter outside. Clean-up also is equally efficient. Setup is easy with the adjustable legs, which allow for flexible positioning on uneven terrain.
When you buy the 270-degree awning from our online inventory, you can pair it with additional accessories, such as mosquito nets, side walls, and floor mats. This gives travelers a way to create a fully enclosed space for cooking, dining, and relaxing.
The instant straight awnings from Ironman 4x4 are also easy to set up in minutes. They feature adjustable legs for uneven terrain and adjustable height/width to fit the needs of your vehicle or overall setup. These off-road awnings come in many sizes that make them suitable for a wide range of vehicles, from SUVs to trucks. Our instant straight awnings are versatile enough to be stand-alone shelters or attached to the side of the vehicle via the included mounting brackets.
First Aid Kit Supplies
You’ll need materials for patching and cleaning wounds, such as band-aids, but don’t forget about ibuprofen or whatever pain-relief medicine you prefer. This will help your children relieve common symptoms of headaches and general pain to maximize enjoyment. Having a big trip hindered by an injury or headache is stressful, but you can reduce that frustration with careful packing.
Personal Safety Needs
If your child has specific health needs, it’s critical to ensure you don’t leave home without supplies that will keep them safe. For instance, does your child take any medications? Do they use an inhaler? In addition, if your child has eyeglasses, prepare your cargo accordingly. Bring along lens cleaner, a reliable glasses case, and, if possible, an extra pair to ensure a broken or dirty set of glasses doesn’t hinder your child’s vision.
These health essentials may seem straightforward since they’re already a part of your child’s life. That said, it’s easy to overlook small but important details when packing for a big trip, so consider making a checklist beforehand. That way, you can precisely plan your big overlanding outing with success.
Now you know how to have a successful overlanding trip with your kids! Prioritize entertainment, comfort, and safety, and your family will have a great trip and make life-long memories. And remember, for all your vehicle modification needs, Ironman 4x4 has you covered with high-quality, useful upgrades that will help ensure a smooth trip.
